Process for controlling a closing device in a motor vehicle

Abstract

In a process for controlling a closing device in a motor vehicle driven by an electric motor, in particular for controlling a motor vehicle sunroof, to protect a body part from being crushed during a closing motion, a closing resistance variable is detected. The closing resistance variable is characteristic of a force counteracting the closing motion, and is used to determine whether a crush situation exists. For this purpose, an additional auxiliary variable indicative of wind load forces at a certain speed is used. If a crush situation exists, a protective measure is initiated.

1. A process for controlling a closing device in a motor vehicle driven by an electric motor to protect against crushing of a body part during a closing motion of a closing means of the closing device comprising:
 detecting a closing resistance variable which is characteristic of a force counteracting the closing motion of the closing means, 
 detecting the existence of a vehicle attachment on or above the vehicle and using the existence detected to determine an auxiliary variable indicative of wind load forces exerted on the closing means at a certain speed, 
 using the closing resistance variable and the additional auxiliary variable indicative of wind load forces exerted on the closing means at a certain speed to determine whether a crush situation exists, and 
 initiating a protective measure when a crush situation exists. 
 
     
     
       2. A process for controlling a closing device in a motor vehicle driven by an electric motor to protect against crushing of a body part during a closing motion of a closing means of the closing device comprising:
 detecting a closing resistance variable which is characteristic of a force counteracting the closing motion of the closing means, 
 detecting the nature of a vehicle attachment on or above the vehicle and using the nature detected to determine an auxiliary variable indicative of wind load forces exerted on the closing means at a certain speed, 
 using the closing resistance variable and the additional auxiliary variable indicative of wind load forces exerted on the closing means at a certain speed to determine whether a crush situation exists, and 
 initiating a protective measure when a crush situation exists. 
 
     
     
       3. A process for controlling a closing device in a motor vehicle driven by an electric motor to protect against crushing of a body part during a closing motion of a closing means of the closing device comprising:
 detecting a closing resistance variable which is characteristic of a force counteracting the closing motion of the closing means, 
 detecting the type or model of a vehicle attachment on or above the vehicle and using the nature detected to determine an auxiliary variable indicative of wind load forces exerted on the closing means at a certain speed, 
 using the closing resistance variable and the additional auxiliary variable indicative of wind load forces exerted on the closing means at a certain speed to determine whether a crush situation exists, and 
 initiating a protective measure when a crush situation exists. 
 
     
     
       4. A process for controlling a closing device in a motor vehicle driven by an electric motor to protect against crushing of a body part during a closing motion of a closing means of the closing device comprising:
 detecting a closing resistance variable which is characteristic of a force counteracting the closing motion of the closing means, 
 detecting a fastening location of a vehicle attachment on or above the vehicle and using the nature detected to determine an auxiliary variable indicative of wind load forces exerted on the closing means at a certain speed, 
 using the closing resistance variable and the additional auxiliary variable indicative of wind load forces exerted on the closing means at a certain speed to determine whether a crush situation exists, and 
 initiating a protective measure when a crush situation exists. 
 
     
     
       5. The process for controlling a locking device according to  claim 1 , wherein the closing device is a motor vehicle sunroof. 
     
     
       6. The process for controlling a closing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the closing resistance variable is a motor current of an electric driving motor of the closing device. 
     
     
       7. The process for controlling a closing device according to  claim 2 , wherein the closing resistance variable is a motor current of an electric driving motor of the closing device. 
     
     
       8. The process for controlling a closing device according to  claim 3 , wherein the closing resistance variable is a motor current of an electric driving motor of the closing device. 
     
     
       9. The process for controlling a closing device according to  claim 4 , wherein the closing resistance variable is a motor current of an electric driving motor of the closing device. 
     
     
       10. The process for controlling a closing device according to  claim 2 , wherein the closing device is a motor vehicle sunroof. 
     
     
       11. The process for controlling a closing device according to  claim 3 , wherein the closing device is a motor vehicle sunroof. 
     
     
       12. The process for controlling a closing device according to  claim 4 , wherein the closing device is a motor vehicle sunroof.